Well drill



Patented May 22, i923.

item5@ JESSE F. TUNNELL, O DALLAS, TEXAS.

WELL DRILL.

Application filed May l0,

To all whom` t may Concern.'

Be it known that l, JESSE F, TUNNELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dallas, in the county of Dallas and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful lliell Drill, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to drills designed primarily for boring wells, the said drill being of that type ope-rated by the rotation of the tube or casing. n

@ne of the objects of the invention is to provide a collapsible rotary drill bit that can be taken out of the casing, sharpened., and replaced in its proper place where it will be made secure and ready for drilling, this operation being effected by means of a cable and without removing the casing or drill pipe from the hole, so that a great saving in time and expense is effected and the possibility of a cave-in is materially reduced.

Another object is to provide bits so mounted that when they are lowered into the tube or easing they will be properly guided to an angular opening formed in the lower end of the tube or casingand will subsequently shift outwardly automatically so as to become locked and thus be held projected from the tube or casing during the drilling operation.

Another object is to so mount the bits that it becomes impossible for them to shift out of active positions during the operation of the drill.

A still further object is to provide a litting tool insertable into the casing for the purpose of automatically engaging the bit carrying structure, releasing the bits from the tube or casing, and withdrawing said bits from the casing thus to permit them to be readily repaired or sharpened.

Another object is to provide a bit lowering device which can be used for lowering` the bits into the casing until they are properly projected to active positions after which said lowering device can be raised, leaving the bits at the lower end of the tube or ing.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the coinbination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that, within the scope of what is claimed,

1921. Serial No. 469,214.

changes in the precise embodiment of the invention shown can be made without de parting from the spirit of the invention.

ln the accompanying' drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

ln said drawings,

Figure l is a section through the tube or casing of the drill and showing the bits projected to active positions, the bit lifting device being shown in the tube,

. Figure 2 is a section on line 2 2, Figure l, the parts of the lifting device being set for raising thebits from the tube or easing, and Figs. 3, l and 5 are cross sections re spectively on lines 3 3 and 4..-4 of Fig. l, and line 5,-5 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference l designates the tubular body or casing of the drill, the same being provided at one end with a diametrically disposed slot 2 extending throughout the internal diameter of the casing l and having opposed parallel walls as shown particularly in Figure Parallel longitudinal ribs 3 are formed on the inner wall of this casing l. The upper end of the casing l is interiorly screw threaded as shown at t and to this end may be attached a casing or tube section 5 @bviously any desired number ot' these sections can be employed, these sections being added as the drill bores downwardly into the ground.

The drill per se is adapted to be inserted into and removed from the casing l. This drill includes a cylindrical body portion 6 from the upper end o-f which extends a centrally disposed stem 7 terminating in a rounded head 8. Extending into the lower end of the body is a bore 9 and a stop pin lO extendsv diametrically across this bore and is seated at its ends within the body as shown in Figure 2.

Parallel arms ll, which can be in the form of rods screwed into the lower end of the body 6, are extended downwardly from the body and are provided, at their lower ends, with wedge blocks l2 each of which is provided, in its outer face, with a longitudinal groove 13 adapted to ride along one of the ribs 3 should the block come against said rib during the insertion of the bit into the casing. rlhe lower end of the groove 13 is flared as at 13 to prevent the block from hanging on the rib should the two come into Contact. Another groove 14 is formed in Cil the other or inner face of each block and forms a waterway or conduit.

The bore 9 has a slide 15 therein, this slide being formed with a longitudinal slot 16 through which the pin 10 extends. Thus the movement of the slide is limited. That portion of the slide projecting beyond the lower end of the body 6 has opposed flat faces so as to form a tongue 17 and extending transversely through this tongue is a pivot bolt 18 on the end portions of which are mounted the shanks 119 of bits 20. These bits are not in the same plane but are adapted to work in parallel planes, those portions of the bits located beyond the free end of the tongue 17 being thickened so that the bits will lap the free end of the tongue and will work close together as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Each bit has its back edge slidably engaged by one of the blocks 12 when the bit is projected to active position and the opposed edge of each bit has a shoulder 21 adapted when the bit is projected, to lap the free end of the casing 1 as shown Figure 1. This shoulder, under these conditions, is held in engagement with the end of the casing by reason of the fact that the block 12 which is located between the bit and the casing will prevent the shoulder 21 from swinging inwardly out of engagement with the end of the casing. The shank 22 of each bit extends along one flat side of the tongue 17 as before explained, each shank being provided at its inner free end with an inclined or cam face 23 projecting into the path of one of the blocks 12 as shown in Figure 1. The lower or cutting edges of the bits are preferably straight as indicated at 241, the edge portions being curvedin the direction of rotation so that the bits will thus plow through the surface being cut.

The body 6 is provided with opposed longitudinal grooves 25 adapted to slide along the ribs 3 and in order that these grooves may be properly guided to position to receive the ribs during the insertion of the body into the casing 1, the lower end of the body has portions cut away as shown at 26, thus to provide opposed shoulders arranged in pairs, these shoulders converging downwardly as shown at 27 to points which are diametrically opposed and which are equidistant between the grooves. Thus, during the insertion of the body 6 into the casing 1, should one of the shoulders come against the upper end of one of the ribs, the shoulder will cooperate with the rib to rotate the body until the grooves 25 in the body come into line with the ribs whereupon said ribs will be received by the grooves during the further descent ofthe body.

For the purpose of limiting the movement of the bits 2O so that 'they will not be pro- 'ected too far beyond the end of the casing 1 during the lowering of the bits, shoulders 28 are provided on opposite faces of the shanks 22 of the bits and will come against the lower end of the casing 1 as soon as the shoulders 21 have been positioned where they can be moved laterally or radially into engagement with the end of the casing 1. These shoulders have been shown in igure 2.

It will be understood that when the body 6 is suspended by the shank or stem 7 the slide 15 will gravitate relative to the body and the blocks 12 so that the bits 20 will move downwardly and the inclined or cam faces 23 on the Shanks will come against the upper ends of the blocks 12 and be deflected inwardly, thus to bring the shoulders 21 inwardly within the bounds deiined by the circumference of the body 1. Consequently, with the parts thus-positioned, the drill can be lowered through the tubes 5 and into the i casing 1 and if, during the entry of the drill into the casing 1 the ribs 3 and the grooves 25 should not properly align, certain of the shoulders 27 would come against the upper ends of the ribs and cause the body 6 to rotate until the grooves 25 should be brought into alignment with the ribs 3. If by any chance the blocks 12 should come against the upper ends of the ribs during the insertion of the drill into the casing 1, the outer grooves 13 in said blocks would receive the ribs until they had been passed by the blocks. When thebits reach the lower limits of their movement the shoulders 28 wills come against the lower end of the casing 1, thus stopping the downward movement of the bits and of the slide 15, the shoulders 21 at this time being slightly beyond the lower end of the casing 1. The body 6 will continue to move downwardly after the bits have been brought 'to a stop and thus the blocks 12, which move vdownwardly with the body, will be brought into position in the end portions of the slot 2 and back of the shanks 22 of the bits, thus swinging the bits in opposite directions so as to bring their shoulders 22 into engagement with the end of the casing 1.l By now rotating the casing l the bits 2O will move therewith and will out into the surface thereunder, it obviously being impossible for these bits to shift out of active positions as long as the blocks 12 are seated in the .slot 2.

By pulling upwardly on the body 6 the action heretofore described will be reversed.

Tn other words the body will move up wardly for a short distance upon the slide 15, this movement being limited by the pin 10 within the slot 16. Such movement will be sufficient to bring the blocks 12 against y the inclined or cam faces 23 of the Shanks 22 whereupon the shanks will be swung on their pivot bolt so as to move the shoulders 21 inwardly out of engagement with the end of the casing 1. Thus the bits can be drawn upwardly through the slot 2 and the entire movable structure withdrawn from the casing 1 and from the tubes 5 thereabove.

It will be understood that after the drill has been removed from the casing the bits 20 can be readily disconnected simply by removing the bolt 18 whereupon said bits can be sharpened or replaced.

For the purpose of loweringthe drill or for raising it within the casing a special tool is provided. rlhis tool includes a cylindrical casing 29 having an eye 30 at its upper end adapted to be secured to a cable while its lower end is provided with a socket 'L 31 so proportioned asito receive readily the head 8 on the stem 7. Spaced longitudinal slots 32 are formed in the wall of the socket 31 and pivotally mounted in the lower portions of these slots are dogs 33 having upwardly and inwardly extending arms 34. Springs 35 are secured to the casing and bear against the arms so as to hold said arms normally pressed inwardly toward each other and with their free ends seated in the socket 31. A plunger 36 is slidably mounted in the casing 29 and has a spring 37 which bears thereagainst so as to shift the plunger downwardly. This plunger is normally held elevated out of contact with the arms 34 by a. pin 38 which extends through the plunger and through the casing 29 and is removably mounted. A lug 39 extends from the plunger 36 and through a short slot 40 formed in the casing 29 and when the plunger 36 is held supported by the pin 38, this lug 39 is mounted in the upper end of the slot 40 as shown in Figure 1.

With the plunger 36 supported in raised position the springs 35 press the arms 34 inwardly so that the dogs 33 thus project into the socket 31. Thus it will be seen that when the lifting device is lowered into the tubes 5 and casing 1 the head 8 will be received within the socket 31 and will enter between the dogs 33, pressing them outwardly so that the arms 34 will press against the springs 35. As soon as the head 8 passes to a position above the dogs 33, the springs 35 will shift the arms 34 inwardly so that the dogs 33 will engage under the head as shown in Figure 2. With the parts thus coupled together the casing 29 can be pulled upwardly and will, obviously, pull upwardly on the stem 7 and cause the body 6 andi' the parts carried thereby to ope'rate in the manner hereinbefore described, thereby to permit withdrawal of the drill trom the casing. When it is desired to lower the drill into the casing the pin 38 is removed so that thel plunger 3G will thus be released and will bear upon the upper ends of the arms 34. The drill is then lowered into the casing and when it reaches its lower limit of movement the casing 29 is permitted to continue its downward movement. Thus the arms 34 will ride downwardly on the head 8 and will be swung outwardly thereby from under the plunger 36. As soon as the plunger is thus released the spring 37 will project the plunger downwardly into position between the arms 34 with the result that the dogs 33, which have been swung out from under the head 8 will be held in disengaged positions and the casing 29 and the parts carried thereby can thus be raised independently of the drill.

By providing the grooves 13 and 14 water is free to circulate downwardly through the slot 2 while the bits are projected to active positions.

What is claimed is 1. A well drill including a casing mounted for rotation and having an opening in one end, a body slidable within the casing, pivotally mounted bits connected to and slidable independently of the body, said bits being insertable through the opening in the casing, cooperating means upon the bits and casing for limiting the movement of the bits from the casing, means movable with the body and relative to the bits for wedging between the bits and the walls of the opening to hold the bits in engagement with 7 the end of the casing, and means carried by the bits and cooperating with said holding means for shifting said bits out of engagement with the end ot' the casing when the body is raised relative to the bits.

2. In a well drill the combination with a casing mounted for rotation and having a slot in its lower end, of a body insertable into the casing, cooperating means -on the body and casing for holding them against relative rotation, pivotally mounted bits connected to and bodily shiftable toward and lfrom the body, said bits being insertable through the slot in the casing, shoulders on the bits, means carried by the body and movable relative to the bits into position in the slot for holding the bits shifted out of normal position with their shoulders in engagement with the end of the casing, means on the bits tor limiting their movement through the slot, and means carried by the bits and cooperating with the holding means for shifting the shoulders ot the bits out ot engagement with the end of the casing during the upward movement oi the body within the casing, thereby to disengage the bits from the casing and withdraw them through the slot in the casing.

3. ln a well drill the combination with a casing mounted for rotation and having- TUO bits pivotally connected tothe member and -insertable downwardly through the slot, shoulders on the bits, wedging blocks supportedby and movable with the body, said blocks being insertable into the slot and into engagement with the bits to hold the shoulders on the bits in lapped relation with the end of the casing, and means carried by the bits and cooperating with the blocks for shifting the shoulders Ainwardly' out ot engagement with the casing when the body is raised within the casing.

4. In a well drill the combination with a easing mounted for rotation and having a slot in its lower end, of a body insertable into the easing, cooperating means on the body and easing lor holding them against relative rotation, a member slidably connected to and depending from the body, bitsrpivotally connected to said member and insertable through the slot, means on the bits for engaging the end of the easing to 'hold the bits against withdrawal from the slot, wedge blocks connected to and movable with the body, said blocks being movable into the slot and back ot the bits to hold them in engagement with the end of the casing, and means carried by the bits and engageable by the blocks during the movement of the body upwardly relative to the bits for shifting said bits out of engagement with the end of the easing.

5. In a well drill the combination with a Casing having a slot at its lower end and longitudinal ribs within the casing, oi a body insertable into engagement with the ribs and slidable in the easing, a member slidably connected to and revoluble with the body, bits pivotally connected to opposite sides of said member, said bits being insertable through the slot, means on the bits for limiting the insertion thereof through the slot, oppositely extending shoulders upon the respective bits 'or engagement with the end of the casing, wedging blocks movable with the body and insertable into the slot between the wall of the slot and the bits tor holding said bits in engagement with the end of the casing, said body beine` shi'ftable upwardly within the casing to remove the blocks from the slot and release the bits, and means on the bits and in the paths ot the raised blocks l'or shitting the bits out resalte of engagement with the casing and to bring the bits in position to be withdrawn into the casing through the slot.

G. ln a well drill the combination with a casing mounted for rotation and having a and between the bits and the end walls ov the slot for holding said bits in engagement with the end of the body, and means upon the bits and cooperating with said holding means for disengaging the bits from the easing during the upward movement of th body relative to the bits.

7. ln a well drill the combination with a easing mounted for rotation and having a slot in its lower end, of a body insertable into the easing, bits pivotally and slidably mounted relative to the body, means movable with the body for shifting the bits within the slot and into engagement with the lower end or" the easing, a head upon the upper end et' the body, and lifting means insertable into the easing, to engage the head.

8. in a well drill the combination with a casing mounted 'for rotation andhaving a slot in its lower end, of a body insertable into the casing, bits pivotally and slidably connected to the bodyv and insertable into the slot, means movable with the body and into the slot to shift the bits into engagement with the endof the easing, means earried by the bits and cooperating with said shitting means to disengage the bits from the casing during the movement of the body in an upward direction relative to the bits,

and means for lowering the body into the t easing.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JESSE F. TUNNELL. 

